The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has opened Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as the favorite at EVEN odds to win MVP of Super Bowl LIII. Rams QB Jared Goff is the only other player with odds in single digits, at 2-1.

Before catching up with new Browns coach Freddie Kitchens (31:23), Adam Schefter talks to Field Yates about the pair of instant classics in the conference title games, potential rule changes as a result of the controversial finishes in those games and more (:42). Plus, Evan Kaplan takes a big-picture look at the Super Bowl LIII matchup (23:09).

Two overtime games. Pivotal missed calls. Walk-off wins by the Patriots and Rams. Let's make sense of Sunday's madness.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Patriots defensive snaps: A four-CB dime package helped match up better against the Chiefs' dynamic weapons, which led to safety Duron Harmon playing just two snaps in a notable change. The 52 snaps were the third fewest this season (48 and 49 vs. Miami).

share

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Patriots offensive snaps: They ran 97 plays, which is astounding. The season high was 83 (vs. Colts, Chargers). Rob Gronkowski played all 97 and left it all on the field in one of his best games of the season.

Tom Brady, despite his long list of once-in-a-generation accolades, had the look of a kid in a candy store after Sunday's AFC title game win. Afterward, he attributed his emotions to the adversity New England conquered this season.

The Patriots are headed to their third straight Super Bowl after handling Patrick Mahomes on the road in the AFC title game.

Super Bowl XXXVI rewind: Pats edge Rams for first title (0:58)

Super Bowl LIII will be a battle of youth vs. experience (1:47)

Brian Burke ESPN Analytics

One critical aspect of the Patriots' victory tonight that shouldn't be overlooked is their pass protection. The New England offensive line recorded the very best team Pass Block Win Rate (PBWR) of the entire season vs. the Chiefs tonight at 91%. That's utter domination against an above-average pass rushing defense. ESPN's pass blocking and rushing metrics are based on raw player tracking data via NextGen Stats.

share

Seth Walder ESPN Analytics

The Patriots recorded a Pass Block Win Rate of 90.5% on Sunday -- that is the best pass blocking game by any team in any game this entire season.
Guard Shaq Mason led the way along the offensive line with a 100% PBWR, while TE Rob Gronkowski and RB James White also had a 100% PBWR on 12 pass blocks apiece (meaning none of the three were beaten by a defender within the first 2.5 seconds after the snap on a single play). PBWR is an ESPN metric powered by NFL Next Gen Stats.